Czech police suspect victim set off deadly blast

PRAGUE—Czech police suspect that a man who died in a powerful gas blast that killed four others deliberately set off the explosion.

The blast destroyed a three-story apartment building Sunday in the town of Frenstat pod Radhostem. Three children were among the dead, while 11 people were wounded.

Police gave few details about the suspect, but local media reported he had been in debt and that his flat in the building had been sold in an auction. The Czech reports cited an organization of executors who handle such cases.

Regional police chief Tomas Tuhy didn't give many details Tuesday. His announcement came after investigators determined that gas had exploded in several parts of the building where the suspect lived.